Bubbles Bounce in Muskegon offers another way for little children to have fun

MUSKEGON, MI -- Bubbles Bounce, an inflatable bounce house for children 12 years old and younger, was first opened at the Lakes Mall in Fruitport in February 2010.

Now in its third year, the business moved to its new location on 1447 W. Sherman Blvd. a few months ago.

“We are a family of seven and we figured we would do something indoor,” said Tangela Barnes, the owner and a mother of five boys. “The facility can hold up to 290 people.”

From birthdays to Christmas parties, the 5,600-square-foot facility offers a variety of inflatable equipment for little children to freely jump on and bounce around while their parents join them on the sidelines.

An artist at heart, it was Tangela’s husband Javonn who came up with the idea to open an inflatable bounce house for little children.

“I wanted to open a place that was fun and safe for little kids,” Javonn said. “In a couple more years, we want to move to a different spot and expand our business.”

Their business has also benefited their children where they can play at any time they want.

“We don’t have to worry about birthday parties,” Tangela said. “We know exactly where to have our party.”

The facility has a kitchen where clients can enjoy soft drinks and hot dogs. Their outdoor equipment is also available all year long, weather and space permitting.

“I’m looking forward to the summer,” Tangela said. “I hope to utilize the parking lot and we will bring out our outdoor rentals.”

The Barneses have gotten creative by holding a variety of activities like “Bunny Hop Time” for toddlers 6 years old and younger on Tuesdays and Fridays from noon to 3 p.m. Even day cares are welcomed with a discount to help get the children energized.

“Muskegon needed something like this for little kids where they don’t have to worry about older kids,” Tangela said. “We allow parents to play with kids as well.”

Every last Thursday of the month, Tangela also holds a book club from 6 to 8 p.m. for ladies, where they discuss the books they read while their kids play.

“We rented a bounce house from (Bubbles Bounce) for my daughter’s birthday party,” said Nicole Pomeroy of Norton Shores, a mother of three. “I knew this would be perfect for their age.”

“None of my kids have been to a day care so I prefer Bubbles Bounce,” said Krystal Braginton, mother of three who is also from Norton Shores. “Especially when the weather is bad, we don’t want (our kids) outside.”

Bubbles Bounce is open Tuesdays through Thursdays from noon to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m to 9 p.m., Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. and is closed on Mondays. An hour of activity costs $5, $7 for two hours or you can get an all-day pass for $10.

“I wanted to make something affordable for the kids,” Javonn said. “So this is a place where parents don’t have to worry about breaking their pocket.”